ALEX McLeish knows full well that Birmingham City could be the victims of a Manchester United backlash today.

Having lost surprisingly to West Ham United on Saturday, and then watched Arsenal replace them at the summit of the Premier League a couple of hours later, they will be smarting.

"I know, having played under Sir Alex Ferguson, he always went on about not losing two in a row, not dropping more points," said Blues boss McLeish. "If you look at his record at Manchester United, it's probably a long time since he has lost two in a row so it doesn't make it any easier for us.

"But we have to go there and try our very best to take something from Old Trafford."

Blues shouldn't be frightened rabbits, McLeish argued.

"They are playing in the Premiership, which as a footballer is surely where you want to be.

"They have played at Old Trafford before and there is no reason why they can't go there and acquit themselves well. I don't think they will be frightened. They should go there and enjoy it.

"It doesn't mean to say we won't be beaten but it doesn't mean to say we can't upset Mancheser United. It's been done before and I've done it with small teams against big teams also."